30 years of industry precedence is defensible. The L foot is essentially a sealed flashing as well, so we're really talking interpretation. I've done it many different ways, worked on decades old systems, and even though I was a flashing man for many years, I'm back to thinking the venerable L foot has its place in our industry. I've seen some flashed installations that were code compliant, but looked horrible, and worse: leaked.
Ray Walters On Jul 4, 2012, at 9:07 AM, David Brearley wrote: > Todd, > > The issue isn't whether your approach works, but whether it is defensible in > the event that something leaks. Most solar contractors receive public funds > (rebate monies, ARRA program distributions, etc.). Some of those companies > are installing systems in a manner that is not building code compliant. It > just takes a high profile leaky roof at a VA hospital or a public housing > project where a solar system was installed in a manner that does not meet the > building code to lose years of goodwill and support for the industry. Modules > prices have fallen quite a bit, but we all loose if State and Federal or > public (opinion) support for the industry goes away. > > Obviously, that's the worst case scenario: That somehow the industry gets > painted as being made up of a bunch of irresponsible, fly-by-night, subsidy > chasers. Probably nothing to worry about, though. I'm pretty sure there's no > precedence for that sort of thing actually happening. Right? > > What's more likely is that AHJs will get hip to the fact that they need to > inspect the building code compliance of roof attachments. When they do, which > side of the curve will your company be on? (Since your mind seems to be made > up, Todd, that question is addressed to List at large.) > > Happy Independence Day, > > David Brearley, Senior Technical Editor > SolarPro magazine > NABCEP Certified PV Installer ™ > [email protected] > Direct: 541.261.6545 > > > On Jul 3, 2012, at 10:37 PM, [email protected] wrote: > >> i wasn't going to enter into this discussion, but this posting prompted me. >> >> my most recent job was done with the assistance of the customer. he and i >> have a long working history, my being his employee some 25 years ago >> installing shw systems in the area, and now he hiring me to do his personal >> home's pv system. >> >> he insisted on straight L foot mounting without flashings... and i have to >> agree. in the 25 to 30 years since we did those shw systems, not a single >> one has leaked. plus, the installation was at the roof ridgeline, so pv >> quick mounts wouldn't have worked anyway. we put 2 X 8 blocking in the attic >> between the trusses to acomodate the mounting bolts and used a nice fattie >> gob of black silicone on each foot, which gooshed out when tightened. the >> mount will easily outlast the roof... leak free. >> >> honestly, i don't care what the ubc/ibs says. if done properly, these kinds >> of mounts are bombproof. years of experience backs this up. also, i have >> seen plenty of 'code compliant' oatey no-caulk sewer vent flashings with >> rotten rubber leaking into homes to know flashed penetrations are no panacea >> either. >> >> todd >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On Tuesday, July 3, 2012 2:53pm, "David Brearley" >> <[email protected]> said: >> >> +1 on the use of structural screws. We ran an article about lag screws a >> couple years ago: >> >> http://solarprofessional.com/article/?file=SP3_4_pg70_Shelly >> >> One of the things that surprised me when I read this manuscript is how >> variable lag screws are in terms of construction and quality. Besides the >> convenience of being able to drive a structural screw without a pilot hole, >> the engineering specs are likely better documented and the manufacturing >> tolerances are probably tighter as well. >> >> FWIW: I think that using unflashed attachments in these litigious times is >> unwise. It's not consistent with best practices in the construction >> industry. It does not meet building codes. It violates the roof warranty. It >> makes your competition look good. >> >> We ran our first article on this topic 4 years ago, in our inaugural issue >> of SolarPro magazine: >> >> http://solarprofessional.com/article/?file=SP1_1_pg72_Fain >> >> The industry has come a long way since then, both in terms of awareness and >> in terms of off-the-shelf flashed attachment options. There are so many >> quality flashed attachment solutions to chose from now that I'm not sure why >> anyone would knowingly expose themselves to a possible construction >> negligence claim. >> >> Drive straight, >> >> David Brearley, Senior Technical Editor >> SolarPro magazine >> NABCEP Certified PV Installer ™ >> [email protected] >> Direct: 541.261.6545 >> >> On Jul 3, 2012, at 4:11 PM, Garrison Riegel wrote: >> >> The EcoFasten GF1 flashing is easy to install on a retrofit and will not >> necessarily add any height to the rail. If you do need to trim the >> flashings installed around the skylight, then I would recommend adding >> sealant to these penetrations. We ditch the included lag and use a 5/16” >> GRK RSS (self tapping structural screw). The combination works great and >> does not require a pilot hole. >> >> RSS: >> http://www.grkfasteners.com/en/RSS_1_2_information.htm >> >> GF1 >> http://ecofastensolar.com/pdf/GF1%20Cutsheets.pdf >> >> Best, >> >> Garrison Riegel >> Project Manager >> >> Solar Service Inc >> [p] 847-677-0950 >> [f] 847-647-9360 >> www.solarserviceinc.com >> >> NABCEP Certified Solar PV and Thermal Installer™ >> >> >> “There is no room for flashings. The L feet will go very close to the >> skylights and the flashing would hit the edge of them. Plus there is an >> existing array that was done by another installer that is done with L feet >> only. The new array would be higher.” >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> List sponsored by Home Power magazine >> >> List Address: [email protected] >> >> Options & settings: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List-Archive: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List rules & etiquette: >> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >> >> Check out participant bios: >> www.members.re-wrenches.org >> >> >> >> >> Sent from Finest Planet WebMail. >> _______________________________________________ >> List sponsored by Home Power magazine >> >> List Address: [email protected] >> >> Options & settings: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List-Archive: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List rules & etiquette: >> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >> >> Check out participant bios: >> www.members.re-wrenches.org >> > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Home Power magazine > > List Address: [email protected] > > Options & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org >
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